Sayonara San Diego

     San Diego, it was great and an incredible experience that I will be eternally grateful for. I'm sure that if we get a chance to visit or return we surely will. So even though we may be experiencing our first week in Japan I think that San Diego deserves it's dues with a little insight into all our new found favorites.

      Dog Park: Fiesta Island b/ it was all off leash with plenty of access to water and grass and
                       responsible owners.
     Mexican Restaurant: El Camino b/ its atmosphere is chill, it's Happy Hour is incredible and it's food
                                       is delicious.
     Art Store: Blick Art Materials b/ it has everything a serious artist could ask for.
     Breakfast Place: Cafe 222 b/ it's just as good as the hype of Hash House and Richard Walkers (or
                                better!) but so much more low key AND you can bring your dog!
      Gelato: Chocolat b/ it's the closet thing to gelato from Italian gelato shops in San Diego.
      Burger Place: Cheap- In & Out. Pricy but worth it- Burger Lounge. I love game meat and ethical
                             meat so this is definitely the place.
      Drinking Spot: Noble Experiment b/ it's incredibly classy, timeless and you won't see the drunken
                              frat boys here. Lion's Share b/ it has great classic handcrafted drinks and for very
                              reasonable prices during Happy Hour. The Tipsy Crow b/ it has great simple drinks
                              and a lounge like feel.
       Hike: Any of the Laguna Mountain trails along the PCT. Dog friendly and you may run into a
                max of 5 people during a day there. SO much better than Cowles Mountain.
      View: From Cabrillo Tide Pools. Beautiful views of the water, the mountains and the coast.
      Farmer's Market: Little Italy gave us all of our necessities, fresh veggies, fruits and eggs as well as
                                delicious crepes, Bitchin Sauce and Joe's on the Nose.
      Other: The BEST thing from San Diego= Bently & Fredrik! Had we never gone to San Diego we
                  never would have had these 2 cuties.

     There are so many amazing San Diego places and events that we will surely miss. There's too many to list. We will never forget the Yappy Hours at Landinis, romping at OB, Christmas Lights at Christmas Card lane or smuggling the dogs into the drive in. Every place has it's own gems and San Diego definitely has more than most. Thank you for the experience and for all those we befriended along the way.

Tips

     Navigating the channels of government employees and rigorous forms with a bit of direction from those with prior experience never hurts. I am certainly thankful for those who have helped us and I can only hope to pay it forward. Here are some helpful tips for dealing with each department:

General: 1) If you can email  along with calls.for multiple reasons. Proof of what was said, sent and
                 done that you can present as evidence when contradicted. Also they tend to respond quicker.
               2) Keep multiple copies of everything. You never know who will want a copy.
               3) Do not assume the offices actually communicate with each other. They often don't and it
                   will be your responsibility to bridge the gap.
               4) You must ask the right questions. The people in these offices answer what you ask and
                  don't elaborate so don't hesitate to pry further.

NAVPTO: 1) Contact them and don't just wait patiently for their email. It may not come so from the
                       beginning have multiple forms of contact. Even if it means nagging everyone in every
                      other office keep trying to get through.  Worse comes to worse walk in.
                   2) Realize passports should arrive in 4-6 weeks. Start contacting them at 4 weeks.

SATO: 1) If traveling with pets give them the specifications as to which flights will accommodate the
             size of your pet, (esp for in-cabin). They (SATO) are required to accommodate your needs.
              This is make it easier and less work for them thus makes it easier for you.

Storage/UB/HHG: 1) Your moves cannot overlap at all. This even includes if one pack is to be picked
                                  up on a day and another is to be packed. They will not tell you this and if you find
                                  out too late if could provide complications.
                               2) Companies are supposed to contact you but sometimes they don't and other times
                                   they just take their sweet time. If you haven't heard from them or if you're pressed
                                   for time be preemptive and make the call.
                               3) Don't assume the movers know how to get to your residence. Be prepared to
                                  give them detail directions.
                               4) Document EVERYTHING! This means lists, photographs, videos because if
                                   you can not prove of it's existence and working condition you will not  get
                                   reimbursed if they break it or loose it.

Other: 1) You can mail items to yourself. We were able to get a PO Box(simply asked for one) and any
          items we were wanting to take with us that the movers either wouldn't move, (food, wine,
          candles, etc), or things we wanted right away but wouldn't fit in the suitcases we mailed to
          ourselves. Best thing is you can submit the receipts to the travel claim.

     There are so many tips and hints I'm sure these are just a minuscule amount but they are ones that we found by trial and error or a helpful friend. Hence it's my thought that maybe others need these too beyond documented sources. Of course every move has its own set of challenges but I hope this can help a bit.

Contacting Us in Japan

     In less than 2 weeks we will be in the land of the rising sun and we'd like to still stay in contact with you. To be precise  we fly from the states to Japan on November 25th. Things have all been coming together quickly here and there will be a few more posts detailing all that has gone into the prep side of this move.

     As for contact it is as follows:
                 Email: danny.n.peters@gmail.com ; areneek@yahoo.com ; ardentprints@yahoo.com
                 Twitter: @ardentprints
                 Instagram: ardentprints
                 Facetime: areneek@yahoo.com ; danny.n.peters@yahoo.com
                 Skype:  danny.n.peters@yahoo.com (Danny Peters) ; areneek@yahoo.com (Ashley R                                
                             Peters) - if it's associated with our phone numbers then 6198225837 and
                             6198460169

                 Etsy : ArdentPrints

                Google Voice : 6198460169

 

Our temporary address in Japan is a PO Box until exactly whether or not we will be living on base or off but in the meantime this address will work just fine:

PSC 473 Box 335 FPO AP 96349-0004

     We will be getting Japanese phones and possibly Tango. Of course along with all of these contacts there are also the chat and messaging methods of things such as Facebook and Gmail.  We hope to stay in touch and now you have the means to do so.

Last Show In The States

     This past Thursday, November 7th, Ardent Prints had it's last show in the states until we return from Japan. It took place in the vibrant environment and electric scene of Stingaree through RAW. It was a fantastic show with a professionally edgy presentation. I made many connections and sold quiet a lot of pieces. Thank you all for the support. I'd specifically like to thank all of those who purchased tickets and those who attended for me. I can only hope you enjoyed my work and the show.

     As for Ardent Prints on Etsy. It will be temporarily paused from November 24th-November 27th. Then from November 27th until late December I will have the ability to sell a selection  of my work but not all of it. I may also be able to make some new and custom pieces during this time. By the end of December ALL of the items will be for sale once again. So during our transition to the land of the rising sun don't hesitate to inquire and order. Ardent Prints will be as functional and vigorous as ever.

A Mustache For A Cause

     You all know I'm all about cause and supporting grass roots. So much so that I'd maybe even be willing to do something rather stupid or potentially hazardous if for the right cause. Well after years of being together I have gotten Danny on board with this mentality. Which brings me to his actin for a cause during this month of November. Many of you have heard of the "No-Shave November" to raise awareness to men's health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and depression. Instead of jsut raising awareness we are taking it a step further. For every day he grows his mustache he donate a buck to The Art of Manliness' fundraising efforts and their "Movember". Here's the rules and all the details of this event http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/25/movember-2013-fighting-prostate-testicular-cancer-with-mustaches/ . There is a spot for you to come in though! YOU can donate specifically to Danny to raise funds for the cause. If you'd like to do so please click this link and help his MO grow! http://us.movember.com/mospace/8237801